I watched the GenAI MasterClass so you don’t have to.

Summary: AI is HERE and while I’m using it to learn and share, I have mixed feelings. The “Achieve More with GenAI” series on MasterClass highlights AI’s strengths (idea generation!) and weaknesses (factual accuracy!), and explains how you can use it for brainstorming, brand-building, and scripting. The ethics episode unfortunately skipped climate impact and instead speculated on AI’s future. Sentient machines a-la Ex Machina? Unlikely, for now.
I have mixed feelings about the use of AI. On one hand, it’s here and people are going to keep using it, whether I’m one of those people or not. On the other hand, it embodies the kryptonite of our society: that everything is someone else’s problem. For now I’m using it to understand and share what I’m learning, but could totally see myself quitting, like someone might quit sugar (ie. It’s so tasty! Dopamine! Must… tear… myself… away… for… long… term… benefit…).
As part of the ‘understanding’ piece, I’m watching the MasterClass series, Achieve More with GenAI. It explains what it’s good at (idea generation!) and bad at (being factually accurate!), and goes through various use cases, including:
- acting as a soundboard
- brainstorming business ideas
- creating a brand concept
- storyboarding and scripting a video
- flipping so it asks YOU the questions
I had high hopes that the final episode (Ethics, AI, and the Future) would at least touch on the climate impact of AI, but instead it mused on the different possible futures for the technology — like will it actually become sentient, a-la Ex Machina? They say it’s unlikely, for now.
Episode list
Unlocking Productivity
Ethan Mollick and Allie K. Miller
Learn how to confidently navigate the age of AI with experts on the future of work. Prompt like a boss, boost your productivity, and go from idea to business plan in 15 minutes flat.
Creativity Unleashed
Ethan Mollick and Don Allen III
Discover how AI can be the creative partner you never knew you needed. Learn how to use AI to brainstorm, enhance creativity, and turn your vision into reality with AI artist and futurist Don Allen III.
Ethics, AI, and the Future
Ethan Mollick, Manuel Sainsily, and Allie K. Miller
Delve into the ethics of AI and learn to align technology with your values. Manuel Sainsily shows how to automate and optimise routine tasks and discusses ways to shape AI positively for the future.